Zonda 41 suitable for oval racing? ? ?

[MikeP323]

I have been trying to learn more about possible oval racing with the Zonda 41. Most of what I read seems to be where they are doing hi speed SAW runs.
I only club race on a approx. 1/8th mile oval. I was leaning toward the carbon fiber setup with the 4092 motors and 180 amp Sea King esc's. I know it
can be had with the 300 amp Pro Marine esc's but am not familiar with those or how they are programmed. Have been using Swordfish 240 HV with good luck.
I have been told that the Zonda is tough to turn at speed?

Or would a twin fighter cat with the same motor/esc combo be a better choice?

Thanks for any feedback.

[Fluid]

Considering the small oval you’ll be racing on, any speed advantage the Zonda might have will be compromised by the short straights and tight turns. It is just too narrow IMO. I have no experience with a Fightercat that size.


.

[fweasel]

You can oval race anything. I wouldn't choose a zonda. too narrow. The only Fightercar hull I would consider would be their version of the 34" TFL Cheetah, which turns amazingly at speed.

[properchopper]

A few things :

#1: If you're racing according to either NAMBA or IMPBA rules, know that the 41" Zonda is a Q Class boat by virture of its length (regardless of whether you load 4,5, or 6 cell packs) whereas the "Fightercat Twin" or any other incarnation of that hull is 34 " and normally races in 4-cell P class (34"max length) where it is very successful. Decide which class you want to race in ( + find out if there are enough other boats where you race to make that class).

#2: Know that a regulation 1/8 mile oval course has a straightaway of roughly 179 feet.* At 60 mph (for example) you're covering 88 feet/sec so the extreme gofast straightline capabilities of either boat is wasted given it takes 2.03 seconds on the throttle to dash down the entire straight at 60mph; a whole TWO SECONDS of WFO before setting up to negotiate your turn. Nothing to worry about with the Zonda which corners at speed like King Henry VIII. Barrel roll city. Even a Fightercat cat (actually exists as a Cheetah) with a single nice mill like a TP Power 4060 on 4S will easily kick butt on most comers given it's relative wide-body hull. Setting one up with twin like you mention is way overkill on an 1/8 mile oval. Fun, sounds great and accelerates like mad but needs way more fine tuning than a well set up single.

If your racing is just fun running with your friends in a "run what you brung" competition simply ignore the above and enjoy !

*Length of Straight = .5 x ((C/N) -3.1416 x (2x R + B ))

Where: C = course length [5280'/8]
N = number of laps [8]
R = turn radius [ 50']
B = Buoy width (12")

Will gladly submit to fact-check - (and switching to decaf now )

[properchopper]

Now that I've had my morning wake-up beverage* I thought about something else. While carbon fiber hulls look spiffy on the bench, a dead boat on the back straight or in a turn(yup it happens) will be extremely hard to spot and becomes a perfect speed bump for the pack. Harder to see on the course as well. I'll always choose a bright color hull for my oval racers especially racing 1/6 mile courses.



*20210318_080448 (6).jpg

[MikeP323]

Properchopper Thank you you for both of your replies. You gave me a lot to think about thats for sure. I do have an Enzo (Cheetah) single with a 4092 1390 Kv Leopard. I have never raced it for two reasons first that it
has always run too hot (ZTW Seal 200 amp esc) (usually on 5s) no matter how I prop it and second that it is too handsome to bang around with. I have my water outlets on top of the hull front and have two nice streams coming
out at speed. Also have a regular Cheetah with two TP4050 2100Kv mtrs and two of the 200 amp ZTW Seal esc"s. This one gives me no problems at all in "P" class racing on 4s. We race NAMBA rules with the odd mod here and there.

I have copied the info you sent as it will take a bit to to work the math part out (not enough fingers) Thanks again.

[MikeP323]

Thank You fweasel for your reply. I think that before I get another boat I will give it more thought. What I am hearing from you guys is what I had learned listening for some time. If
you see my reply to properchopper it seems like I already have what I need - just have to make it work better - I hope.

And Fluid Thank you also. All three of you guys have helped me in the past and I appreciate it

Propperchopper I looked at that Death Wish coffee pic and I think that stuff was eating a hole in the side of the cup - be careful!